Florida Rolf back on benefits

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The pensioner dubbed "Florida Rolf", who persuaded the German social services to pay for his life on the beach in America, has arrived back in Germany and signed up for more benefits.

Rolf John, 65, provoked outrage last year when it emerged that he was receiving $US2200 a month ($A3115) in welfare payments, including $US875 for the rent of a beach house in Florida, from the German state.

The embarrassed Government quickly made it more difficult for citizens living abroad to claim benefits.

"Florida Rolf was forced to come back because he no longer fulfils the conditions to receive such payments," the head of social services in Frankfurt, Franz Frey, said.

Mr John arrived back broke and registered with Frankfurt social security offices on May 13, when he received a one-off payment of €205 ($A351) to tide him over while his case is being considered.

Mr John complained that living in Germany made him depressed, and after receiving a doctor's certificate of disability, he left the country in 1979, receiving his money abroad.

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His case caused a storm when the daily Bild splashed pictures of him on a Miami beach drinking cocktails as the Government sought to force through cuts in the welfare system.